Automatic blocking mechanism for strip-mills.



A. SUNDH.

AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP 'MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, I916- Patented J une 26, 1917.

A. SUNDH.

AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1916.

Patented June 26, 1917.

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AUGUST SUNDH, OF HASTINGS-UPON-HUDSON, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR STRIP-MILLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed July 26, 1916. Serial No. 111,506; a

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST SUNDH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hastin the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Blocking Mechanism for Strip-Mills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic blocking mechanism for strip mills in which metal strips fed from a rolling mill are automatically wound upon a block.

In automatic blocking mechanism of this kind it has been customary to use direct current for operating the blocking mechanism, driving the block as a rule, with an alternating current motor, but I contemplate using alternating current throughout, both for driving the block and operating it. As

alternating current is most always available where blocking mechanism of this kind is used, I avoid the expense of having to bring 1n direct current to operate the block.

My invention comprises an alternating current motor geared to a shaft which carries the inside constantly rotating mechanism of the block. This mechanism is adapted to be expanded by means of an alternating current magnet of the type disclosed and described in the Patent No. 779,432, January 10, 1905, David L. Lindquist. The current trolled through a relay which is also operated by alternating current controlled by a transformer the secondary circuit of which by movement of the strip from the rolling mill; 1 have also provided a brake for the outside of the block which is operated at the-time the strip beto the block, by means of an comes attached alternating current magnet, this magnet being connected also to the guiding means for the strip, so that when the strip reaches a certain predetermined position in its travel to the block, a circuit will be closed to the various magnets and the strip will be attached to the block, the brake released and the guides withdrawn. The whole block will then start rotating to block the strip. By using a transformer I am able to cut down the voltage of the alternating current in the secondary of the transformer to a degree that it will be safe to ground it. After the strip has been blocked the various circuits will be automatically opened and the with the various operating pivot and out point,

for this magnet is con-- to a shaft 12,

block collapsed, allowing the free withdrawal of the blocked strip from the block. It will be seen therefore that the operation of my apparatus is automatic throughout and adapted to be operated by alternating current.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the various parts of the apparatus, together electric circuits; Fig. .2 is a sectional view of the block itself; and Fig. 3 is an end view of the block.

The strips S are fed through a rolling mill B, through the guiding mechanism G, comprising an' upper and a lOWer guide member. These guide members are pivoted at 2, and are adapted to be swung around this of guiding position by means of a. spring 3, secured at one end to the guides and at the other end to any suitable here shown as secured to the rolling mill at 4. Secured to the frame of the rolling mill are plates 5, of which there are 2, which plates serve to scrape the strips from the rolls of the rolling mill, and also to guide the strips until they reach the guides G. An arm 6 is adjustably and pivotally connected to one of the guiding members, but insulated therefrom, this arm carrying a roller 7 which the strip is adapted to engage in its passage through the guides. The block around which the strip is to be wound, comprises an outer sectional shell or casing 8, here shown'as made up of three sections hinged together. A space is left between the abutting edges of two of the sections so that the strip may enter to the inside ofthe block. Thi space extends the length of the block. To insure that this space will be in position to receive the strip as it comes to the block, I have provided a hand wheel.9.carried by a ring 10, this ring being screw threaded as sho n in Fig. 2 to receive one of the sections 01 the outer shell of the block. By rotating the hand wheel 9 the space for the entry of the strip may be brought into proper position and be held there by means of a member 11, which member enters a pocket formed in the outer periphery of the ring 10. The inside of the block which is adapted to be rotated constantly by means of an alternating current motor M, comprises several sections adapted to be expanded and contracted by toggle mechanism T carried on a shaft A connected both the shafts A and 12 having longitudinal movement. This shaft 12 isadapted to be moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 by means of an alternating current magnet 13 constructed of laminated mate- 5 rial, and mounted on the end of a hollow shaft 14 and rotatable therewith, this shaft being carried in bearings 15 and 16. A spring 17 is carried onthe shaft 12, and serves to move the shaft 12 to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 after the current in the magnet 13 is cut ofi". Movement of the shaft 12 to the left expands the block through the toggle mechanism T to grip the strip between the inside sections of the block and 15 the sections 8 of the outer shell of the block, while movement of the shaft 12 to the right under the action of the spring 17 serves to collapse the block to permit the strip to be withdrawn therefrom. The shafts 12 and 14 are driven by the motor M through gears 18 and 19. In practice this motor may run constantly. An alternating current magnet 20 is mounted on the machine near the rear end of the block, and is provided for the purpose of releasing the member 11 from engagement with the outer shell of the block and also to permit the spring 3 to swing the guides G from guiding position. This mechanism comprises the movable core 21 of the magnet 20, to which is pivoted an arm 22, fulcrumed at 23, and having a hook at its outer end which engages a corresponding member 24 carried by the guiding mechanism G. Th'emember 11 is pivoted to this .3. arm 22. When-the magnet 20 is energized and pulls in its core 21, the arm 22 will be moved about the fulcrum 23 to dis-engage the arm-from the member 24 on the guide G, and simultaneously the member 11 will 43 be pulled up out of engagement with the ring 10 of the block. A spring 25 surrounds the member 11 and is placed under compression when the member 11 is raised as just-described. When the current is cut off 45 from the magnet 20 this spring will force the member 11 downward into engagement with the ring 10 of the block and pull the arm 22 downward to be engaged by the hooked member 24 on the guide when the latter is swung around again to guiding position. An alternating current magnet 26 is provided to control the flow of current to the magnets 13 and 20, this magnet receiving its current from the secondary circuit of a transformer 27, the primary circuit of which receives its current from a source of alternating current designated 28. In order that the action of the magnet 26 will not i be too quick, and may be set to act at the proper 1nstant,-I have provided adjustable dashpot mechanism D which will resist the pull up of the movable core of the magnet 26. In order to provide a block which will block various thicknesses of strips, I have provided a nut 29 having a tapered bore and screwed on the end of the shaft A, the end of the shaft being tapered also to receive the nut. A slot 50 is cut in the shaft A longitudinally of it for part of its length, and into this slot a wedge 51 is adapted to be forced by means of a member 52 to which the wedge is secured. The wedge is screwthreaded and passes through the nut 29. In the position shown in Fig. 2, the wedge is in its innermost position. In case it is desired to block a strip of greater thickness than the machine is shown set for, the member 52 is turned to retract the wedge, and the nut 29 is then set up. This will partially close the slot A, pulling the toggles T in- 0 wardly, and obviously the expanding sections of the block cannot be moved outwardly as far as before, and thus the block will accommodate a thicker strip.

When the manual switch 30 is closed a cir- 35 'cuit is closed to the motor M and the same rotates, and sets into motion the inside mechanism of the block. As we have before stated, this motor M may rotate constantly. The primary circuit of the transformer 27 is always closed. As the strip S is fed through the rolling mill and through the guiding mechanism Git reaches and engages the roller 7, and will close the circuit for the secondary winding 31 of the transformer 27, one end of this winding being grounded at 32 and the other end connected at 33 to the arm 6 carrying the roller 7. This be-' ing the secondary circuit of the transformer 27 the voltage of the current flowing therein will be low, depending upon the number of turns of wire in the primary winding compared with the number of turns in the secondary. I contemplate reducing the voltage to such a degree that it will be safe to ground this circuit without danger of injury from shock to an operator. In this secondary circuit I have placed a lamp L, and the operator may know by the lighting of this lamp whether or not the secondary circuit of the transformer is closed when the strip reaches the roller 7. Closing of this circuit will energize the winding of the magnet 26, this winding being shown in'the circuit of the secondary of the transformer 27. The magnet will pull up its core 33 against the action of the dashpot D, and bring contacts 34 and 35 carried at the lower end of the core into engagement with stationary contacts 36 and 37, respectively. The magnets 13 and 20 will'now receive current, the former from. supply III, conductor 38, contacts 37 and 35, conductor 39, slip ring 40, through the winding of the magnet 13, slip ring 41, conductor 42, contacts 34 and 36 and. out II; the latter, the magnet 20', from supply III, conductor 38, contacts 37,35, conductor 43, through the winding of the magnet, conductor 44, contacts 34 and 36, and out'II. By the time the strip has closed the secondary circuit of the transformer 27 and the latter has operated the magnet 26 against the action of the dashpot D, the strip will have reached and entered to the inside of the block, and by that time the magnets 13 and 20 will have operated, the latter to release the guiding mechanism G and the member 11, and the former to pull the shaft 12 to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 to clamp the strip by expanding the inside mechanism of the block through the toggle mechanism T. The whole block together with the magnet 13 will now rotate and the strip be blocked. So soon as the strip rides out from under the roller 7 the secondary circuit of the transformer will be broken the magnet 26 will then drop its core and open the circuits of the magnets 13 and 20 and the shaft 12 will be moved to the right to collapse the toggle mechanism T and the inside of the block, and the outside shell of the block will come to rest collapsed so that the strip is free to be withdrawn therefrom.

It will be understood from the showing in the drawings that the magnets 13, 26 and 20 and the transformer 27 are all made up of laminated material.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a blocking mechanism which is automatic in its action throughout, and in which alternating current may be used for the entire operation as well as to driving the motor which rotates the block.

I do not desire to be limited to the exact details and arrangement of parts herein shown as others skilled in the art might make various changes therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a multiphase alternating current motor for driving said block, and single phase magnets 'for controlling the block mechanism, these magnets deriving their power from one phase only of the same supply as that supplying current to the driving motor, and an electro-responsive device controlled by the feeding movement of the strip for controlling said magnets.

2. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination with a rotatable block of a system of alternating current control for automatically block when same reaches the block, including an alternating current transformer with a secondary circuit controlled by the feed ing movement of the strip, for effecting the operation of said system of alternating current control.

3. In a blocking mechanism adapted to control system, the secondary of attaching the strip to they Wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block and a motor for drivingsaid block, and an alternating current control system for automatically attaching the strip to the block when same reaches the block, including an alternating current transformer with a secondary grounded circuit of low voltage controlled by the feeding movement of the strip for causing the operation of said system of alternating current control.

4. In a blocking'mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, and an alternating current motor for driving said block, and an alternating current control system including circuits and single phase alternating current magnets, a transformer also included in said system, said transformer having a primary circuit for high voltage, and a secondary circuit for low voltage, said secondary circuit being controlled by the strip at a predetermined point before the strip reaches the block, and adapted to control the current in the circuits for the magnets in the control system, and thereby cause the strip to be attached to the block when same reaches the block.

5. In a blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, a multiphase motor for driving said block, said multiphase motor secondary of a multiphase transformer, a single phase alternating current control system including circuits and magnets, the circuits of said alternating current control system being connected to one phase of the multiphase transformer, a single phase transformer connected in the circuits of the said transformer being of low voltage and adapted deriving current from the to be operated to automatically cause the operation of the magnets in the system and thereby cause the strip to be attached to the block when same reaches the block.

6. In mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a stri mill, the combination of a rotatable bloc means to drive said block, an alternating current magnet for controlling said block an alternating current relay for controlhng said magnet, and means controlled by the feeding movement of the strip and operated by induced alternating current for controlling the circuit of said relay.

7. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, means to rotate the block, an alternating current magnet for controlling the operation of the block, a relay controlling said magnet, and a transformer, the secondary circuit of which is controlled by the feeding movement of the strip and controls the said relay.

8. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the

combination of a rotatable block, means tocombination of a rotatable block, means to rotate the block, guiding means between the block and the strip mill, an alternating current magnet for controlling the operation of the block and the .guiding means, a relay controlling said magnet, and a transformer, the secondary circuit -of which controls the said relay.

10. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip m1ll, comprising a rotatable block and mechanism for guiding the strip to the block, the combination of an alternating current motor for rotating the block, magnets constructed to be operated from an alternating current circuit for controlling the block and the guid- 1ng means, and a grounded alternating current circuit of low voltage for controlling said magnets.

11. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, means to rotate the block, an alternating current magnet for controlling the operation of the block, a relay controlling said magnet, a transformer having a primary and a sec ondary circuit, the secondary circuit being grounded and controlling said relay, and a gap adapted to be bridged by the strip when it reaches a predetermined position in its passage to the block,.the bridging of said gap closing the secondary circuit of the transformer to operate the said relay.

12. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, an alternating current'Tnotor forrotating the block,

guiding means for guiding the strip from the strip mill to the block, an alternating current magnet controlling the operation of the vblock and said guiding means, a transformer for controlling said magnet, a grounded secondary circuit for said transformer, means carried by the guiding means and adapted to be engaged by the strip when the same reaches a predetermined position to close the secondary circuit of the transformer to cause the said magnet controlled thereby to function.

13. In mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, mechanical adjustable means for clamping the strip to the block,

14:. In blocking mechanism adapted to I wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, magnets adapted to be operated from alternating current for controlling the operation of the block, and a transformer having an induced grounded secondary circuit free from the primary circuits of the transformer and controlled by the feeding movement of the strip for controlling said magnets.

15. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind astrip coming from a strip mill, the

' combination of a rotatable block, means for holding said block from rotating, and an alternating current magnet for controlling said holding means.

16. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, holding means for said block, guiding mechanism for the strips, and an alternating current magnet for controlling said holding means and guiding mechanism.

17. In blocking mechanismadapted to wind a strip coming from a strip'mill, the combination of a rotatable block, holding means for said block, guiding mechanism for the strips, clamping means for the strip, and an alternating current magnet operated by induced current for controlling said holding means, guiding mechanism and clamping means.

18. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, means to clamp the strip to the block, an alternating current magnet controlling said strip clamping means, and an adjustable timing device controlling the operation of said magnet.

19. In blocking mechanism adapted to wind a strip coming from a strip mill, the combination of a rotatable block, mechamsm adapted to clamp the strip to the block, and an alternating current magnet in anal ahnement with the block and rotating therewith shaft, an alternating current magnet mounted on said shaft and rotating therewith, a movable core for said magnet, inner expandible mechanism for said block, mechanically connected to said movable core and rotatable therewith, and a relay controlled by alternating current of low voltage for controlling the operation of sa1d alternating current magnet.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my 10 name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

AUGUST SUNDH.

Witnesses HAROLD RoNNE, Hs. WEHMANN. 

